Hat Yai & Songkhla Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do & What to Eat

Give the markets of Hat Yai a morning, then slow down on Songkhla's old streets and coast.

Quick facts

• Base: Hat Yai for rail connections, markets and city hotels; Songkhla town for old streets and the beach.
• Arrival: Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) or Hat Yai railway station.
• Currency: Thai baht (THB). Carry some cash for markets and local transport.
• Planning note: Check current Thai entry requirements for your passport and regional travel advice before booking.

Hat Yai is a district of Songkhla province, while Songkhla town is a separate coastal base. The Tourism Authority of Thailand describes Hat Yai as a transport and commercial hub and points travelers toward Songkhla's old town, Tang Kuan hill and Samila Beach.

When to go

Give yourself flexibility whenever rain is forecast. A market morning can still work on a wet day, while the beach and hill viewpoints are more rewarding when visibility improves. If your plans include a waterfall or boat outing, check conditions locally before setting out. The Thai Meteorological Department provides current forecasts and warnings; use those rather than a fixed month-by-month promise.

Weekends can be useful for a market-focused trip, but confirm the current opening days and hours of individual stalls. For a calmer visit, keep an extra half-day open so you can swap a rainy coastal walk for food and museums. If Songkhla is only a day trip, choose a clear day for the old town and shoreline rather than locking in the first day of your stay.

Where to stay

Central Hat Yai

Stay near Lee Gardens and the central streets if you want food and shopping within an easy walk. Kim Yong Market makes a good first morning: look for fruit, snacks and the small shops around it. This is the practical choice for a short stay or an early train. Check the exact hotel entrance and walking route on a map before booking; a central address can still face a busy road.

Browse central Hat Yai stays on Booking.com

If you prefer a room away from the station-side blocks, MonKham Village Hatyai is on Rajyindee Road. Compare its position with the places you plan to visit before booking.

Kho Hong and the university side

The area around Prince of Songkla University suits a longer stay if you prefer a less central base. Choose it for access to campus-side food and the wider Hat Yai district, then budget time for a ride into the old commercial center. Compare the precise location of hotels rather than assuming that every Kho Hong address is walkable to the same shops.

Compare Kho Hong stays on Booking.com

Songkhla Old Town

Choose the old town when the streets themselves are the reason for your trip. Walk Nakhon Nok, Nakhon Nai and Nang Ngam, stopping at a local restaurant or coffee shop as you go. The red rice mill, Rhongseedanghubhohin, is one documented stop beside the old town's street art (Tourism Authority of Thailand). A stay here also avoids making the return trip to Hat Yai after dinner.

Browse Songkhla Old Town stays on Booking.com

Samila and the Songkhla shoreline

This is a slower base for a coastal walk and a morning by the sea. Samila's Golden Mermaid and nearby cat-and-rat sculptures are the recognizable landmarks; the Tourism Authority of Thailand also notes the pine-shaded road beside the beach. Confirm how far your hotel actually is from the sand, since a Songkhla address alone does not guarantee a beachfront room.

Compare Samila-area stays on Booking.com

Things to do

Start with Hat Yai's markets

Begin at Kim Yong Market, then make breakfast the main event. The official Tourism Authority route pairs Hat Yai dim sum with a visit to the market. Go with cash and leave time to look beyond the first row of stalls.

See Hat Yai from the municipal park

The park gives you a change of pace from the central shopping streets and a view across the city. Check transport back before going up, especially if you stay for the evening. The same Tourism Authority route includes the park as a Hat Yai stop.

Walk Songkhla Old Town

Spend several hours on the old streets instead of racing through for a single mural photo. Include the red rice mill and a meal; both the mill and the old town appear in the official Tourism Authority itinerary.

Follow the coast to Samila

See the Golden Mermaid, then continue along the beach road. Nearby Chalatat Beach is another place for a longer walk; its promenade and cycling lanes are described by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Bring shade and water rather than relying on a particular beach stall being open.

Make time for Tang Kuan hill

Pair the hill viewpoint with your Songkhla town day. Check the current lift operation and weather at the site, then decide whether the view is worth fitting around your old-town walk. The Tourism Authority lists Tang Kuan among Songkhla's main stops.

Visit Khlong Hae Floating Market

This is a food stop on the Hat Yai side, with vendors clustered along the water. The Tourism Authority's Songkhla page includes it among provincial highlights. Verify opening hours before taking a dedicated trip; markets do change their operating days.

Take a waterfall day

Ton Nga Chang is an option when you want forest rather than another urban afternoon. The Tourism Authority attraction listing places it in Hat Yai and notes a minibus connection from the municipal fresh market. Check current access, weather and return transport locally.

Extend toward Songkhla Lake

If you have another day, consider Koh Yo and the lake area instead of squeezing everything into one drive. The Tourism Authority road-trip route includes Songkhla Old Town, Tinsulanonda Bridge and a Koh Yo restaurant. Leave room for a proper meal and a slower return.

Getting around

Choose your base first: Hat Yai works well for arrivals and markets; Songkhla town works better for an unhurried old-town and beach visit. The towns are separate, so allow real travel time between them. Ask your hotel about current shared transport or compare a licensed taxi or ride-hailing quote before departing. Agree the fare and drop-off point before using a vehicle without an app fare.

For airport arrivals, confirm the current pickup point and price at the airport rather than relying on an old online fare. A local data connection helps with maps and ride-hailing: compare an Airalo eSIM before departure.

Local tips + scams

Keep small baht notes for market food and make sure a vendor understands the quantity you are ordering. Around temples and religious spaces, dress respectfully and follow signs about shoes and photography. On a hot day, place your outdoor stops in the morning and leave lunch for the old-town lanes or a market.

Treat unsolicited transport offers as you would anywhere: check the destination, vehicle and fare before accepting. If a boat trip or excursion is important to your itinerary, ask what is included and when it returns before paying. There is no need to rush because someone says a ticket or attraction is about to close.

FAQ

How many days should I allow?

Two nights give you a Hat Yai market morning and a fuller Songkhla town day. Add another day if you want the waterfall, lake area or a weather buffer.

Where should I stay first?

Choose central Hat Yai for a short trip with a rail or airport connection. Choose Songkhla Old Town if you want to eat and walk there in the evening.

Do I need cash?

Carry some baht for markets, small meals and transport. Larger hotels may take cards, but check their payment terms before arrival.

Is it safe to travel around Songkhla?

Check the districts on your route, not just the province name. As of this guide's update, the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Chana, Thepa, Na Thawi and Saba Yoi districts in southern Songkhla. Advice can change; consult your own government's current guidance before travel.

Can I visit alone?

Plan transport before a late return, share your route with someone you trust and use the usual care around valuables. The district-specific advisory above matters for solo and group travelers alike.

Related destinations

Continue west to Krabi, add island time on Koh Lanta, or look farther up the Gulf coast at Khanom.